Americans Abroad: Weekend Rewind

Sacha Kljestan has quietly put together a solid season for RSC Anderlecht, but he made some noise in the club's latest win on Sunday.

Kljestan scored his third goal of the season (fourth across all competitions) in Anderlecht's 4-2 win over Racing Genk when he fired home a free kick from 30 yards out. After a teammate dummied a kick, Kljestan hit a shot to the far post that swerved slightly before beating Genk's wrong-footed goalkeeper.

Two others Americans also contributed this weekend, though they did so against one another. Edgar Castillo helped Club Tijuana get off to a dream start by delivering an assist early in its match against Puebla. Unfortunately for Castillo and Xolos, DaMarcus Beasley helped Puebla earn a 1-1 draw when he drew a penalty kick that was converted, a contribution that came a week after he scored a winning goal.

On the wrong end of a penalty kick call was Oguchi Onyewu, who endured arguably the toughest outing of any American this weekend. Playing against Gil Vicente in the Taca da Liga (Portuguese League Cup), Onyewu was sent off after picking up a second yellow card on an early second-half foul. The spot kick was converted and Sporting CP was unable to respond, getting knocked out of the tournament with the 1-0 result.

DaMarcus Beasley started, and played 55 minutes and drew a penalty kick in Puebla's 1-1 draw vs. Club Tijuana on Sunday.

Adrian Ruelas did not dress in Jaguares de Chiapas' 2-0 loss vs. Cruz Azul on Saturday.

Michael Orozco Fiscal started and played 62 minutes in San Luis' 3-0 loss vs. Monterrey on Saturday.

Edgar Castillo started, played 90 minutes and had an ASSIST in Club Tijuana's 1-1 draw vs. Puebla on Sunday.

Joe Corona started and played 69 minutes for Club Tijuana.

Greg Garza did not dress for Club Tijuana.

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What do you think of these performances? Do you want to see Kljestan back in the U.S. national team fold? Would you like to see Beasley and Castillo starting on the left side against Italy later this month? Surprised by Onyewu's rough outing?

41 Responses to Americans Abroad: Weekend Rewind

In watching the Xolos game, one could not come away but to say that Castillo is showing much better form. Not ready to say call him up, but he should be on the radar. Third or fourth game were he has shown himself positively for Xolos.

Any idea when Holden will be coming back? I know he got re-injured, but I feel that was a while ago. Has anyone seen updates on his progress? He was turning into a star over there before all the injuries…

+1 I am one of half a dozen or so USMNT fans who thought Edgar Castillo showed potential in the friendlies last autumn. I was puzzled by all the hate directed toward him. It is good to see him starting and playing well. If he keeps playing and improving, Klinsmann no doubt will give him another shot to earn a USMNT slot.

“The hate” is a direct result of his aptitude at destroying offensive movements. He can’t cross and has an average shot. He has good pace and skill but he loses the ball too easily under pressure. He plays fine in Mexico because defending is against the rules there.

Good there. Not good enough for the international level. He can’t even look like he belongs in a friendly.

As of now Lichaj, Chandler, and Johnson are all better options. If we want to go with the “fast but small and can’t defend well” model of LB we have Damarcus, who coincidentally also is able to produce in Mexico.

Part of the hatred directed at Castillo was he was supposed to save the world from the curse of Bornstein.

When he proved to be a fairly similar player, the Mexican annonucers have at times referred to him as “Cementhead”,US fans were probably embarrassed at their ignorance and immediately moved on. There is also the Zimmerman real american faction that hates him for having a choice. You know, the same people who believe that you should be allowed to marry only once.

I feel the same way. And I can admit that most of the anti-Sacha feeling for me come from a place that is rightfully about 2 years old.. and when I saw him completely SUCK in MLS for Chivas after having a career 08 year and then his hat-trick vs Sweeden’s B team in 09’s Camp Cupcake, but the failed transfer to Celtic sort of really affected him.

It looks like he’s cemented himself as one of the best central midfielders in all of Belgium’s league, but I’m not ready to see him in the US call ups again. Let him move to a more challenging league… maybe a France or Portugal or even Holland. Hell if he went to Spain’s lower La Liga teams or one of the top 2nd Division teams I might even be willing to see him come back.
High Bundesliga 2 to bottom half Bundesliga wouldn’t be bad either?

…He’s one of the best central midfielders in Belgium…. But he’s still not good enough….

I personally think we should leave Kyle Beckerman for guys like Sacha. Jones, Bradley, and Edu are all enough defensive midfielders, not to mention Danny Williams.

He gets flak for the slump he had from 2009 to about end of 2010 but he’s been good for a long while. It’s about time to get past the previous run of poor form and realize that Sacha is back and better than ever.

This. The guy has been out of his slump for a while but people can’t get over it. He’s combines skill and creativity/awareness with high work rate, stamina, and bite on defense. The fact that he couldn’t get a shot in a country where he plays is ridiculous and a pretty good sign that Juergen is commited to playing a certain way and not the best way.

that makes no sense. this guy clearly deserves another try. i didn’t like him awhile ago, but he has worked hard for it and earned a called up. we need someone in the center of mid who can get forward better than what we have seen.

Good for Sasha. The guy deserves another shot, period. That is too bad that Gooch had a terrible game after such a great game. Changes nothing in my mind though…guy is a beast and a solid defender. Love having him in the USMNT.